Despite being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Grimsby last Saturday, Wycombe are still handily positioned in fourth place in the League Two standings, just a point adrift of second placed Lincoln. Paul Lambert's men have won ten of their first 18 league games so far this term, losing just four, and the early signs are that Wanderers are set to challenge for automatic promotion this term. Wycombe face a tough-looking trip to Hartlepool this weekend but Lambert will be hoping his side can return to winning ways to keep the pressure on the three sides above them in the table. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with experienced full back Sam Stockley, who arrived at Adams Park in the summer after agreeing a two-year deal.
Q:WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DRAW AGAINST GRIMBSY LAST WEEKEND?
A:Obviously you're never happy when you don't win but Grimsby made it difficult for us. They got men behind the ball and were content just to hit us on the counter-attack. We went a goal down midway through the second half but we showed good character to fight back to get the equaliser – in fact, we could have nicked it right near the end.
Q:IS IT A CASE OF TWO POINTS DROPPED?
A:No I don't think so, it could turn out to be valuable point. There's no reason to get down over it, we are still playing well and there is a great spirit amongst the squad. Admittedly, it was a game we should have won but we have to move forward and stay positive.
Q:OVERALL THOUGH, IT'S BEEN A GOOD START HASN'T IT?
A:Yes, we're over the moon with it but there's still a long way to go. We're confident we can get where we need to be at the end of the season but there is still a lot of football to played and there's sure to be plenty more twists and turns along the way.
Q:IS AUTOMATIC PROMOTION THE TARGET?
A:Before the season started the target was to win promotion whatever way and that hasn't changed. We've had a good start, but that's all it is. If we don't go up this season though I will look back at it as a failed campaign. Everything here is geared for a successful football club – the training facilities, the management etc.
Q:HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING WITH PAUL LAMBERT?
A:The gaffer is a top man and the players have certainly taken to him in a big way. He gives us licence to out there and play and express ourselves with no fear. Some teams in this league play to a very rigid system, which is how they want to play and it gets them results, but we are given more freedom on the pitch and he trusts us to make the right decisions.
Q:HAVE YOU PLAYED LEADERS WALSALL YET?
A:Yes, they beat us 2-0 at their place earlier in the season even though we had 72 per cent of the possession and more shots on target than them. But I suppose that's the sign of a good side – picking up results even when your opponents appear to be on top. Walsall have started well but there's such a long way to go – we've not even reached Christmas yet.
Q:AND IT'S HARTLEPOOL THIS WEEKEND?
A:It's never an easy place to go and Danny Wilson has got them playing some good football at the moment. The playing surface is normally good there so it should be an attractive game to watch because they like to knock the ball about as well. But if we play to our potential we're more than capable of going up there and getting a result.
